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Egg Dishes

Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods/ Sandwiches

Avocado Toast

Get up, it’s time for breakfast!

Did your mother ever tell you breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Maybe she was right but seems like there are a lot of studies out trying to prove it is not so. Well you can decide for yourself if you want to eat breakfast or not. In my opinion if you don’t eat breakfast you’re going to be even hungrier at lunch time.

We don’t always eat breakfast when we travel; sometimes we just take an early lunch. The day I had Avocado Toast at Willa Jean’s in New Orleans it was for a “late” lunch after visiting the WWII museum. Believe me, by the time I walked to Willa Jeans, I had no trouble eating the whole piece of toast. There are so many creative breakfast ideas I have picked up from restaurants and they have all seem to have changed my opinion on breakfast not being my favorite meal of the day; it still isn’t my favorite but I do have an arsenal of things I like making for breakfast/brunch when we have company.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Bacon and Avocado Quesadilla with Egg

Who says quesadillas have to be round anyway!

Just because I don’t have a pair of cowboy boots or don’t own a horse or even a ten gallon hat doesn’t mean I have not been around the stables a few times when it comes to whipping up some good Tex-Mex/Mexican food and this recipe just happens to be for breakfast.

Living in Texas for the past 26 years has made me somewhat of an almost Texan with some pretty good Mexican recipe skills. I like my guacamole hot, my taco shells thin and crisp (only the corn ones Crisp) and I like my beans a little tipsy instead of mashed.

All three of our kids went to UT in Austin and three out of five of our grandsons were born in Texas. We have eaten at so many Mexican restaurants over the years that I can tell from their salsa and chips if we are going to enjoy their food.

I love my pasole soup made with pulled pork and hominy and my homemade tamales are almost as good as my sister’s. I’ve been experimenting with some shrimp nachos recently and a few other types of Mexican treats with a Sherry spin on them; so when I recently came across a bacon and avocado quesadilla on a menu from E & O Food and Drink restaurant in Chicago, I knew I was going to have to give It my Tex-Mex-Sherry tweak.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Asparagus with Poached Egg, Toast and Bacon Vinaigrette

What better reason to have a brunch than a rooster table-cloth!

I didn’t need a reason to have a brunch but my rooster table-cloth has had me wanting to do brunch and have a bunch of friends over. The friends never got asked over for this recipe; someday they will.

While working at Williams Sonoma for 6 years I collected so many of their tablecloths and paid next-to-nothing for them once they went on sale. The rooster table-cloth is navy blue and have these cool roosters (and I’m not even a rooster fan.) along the border of the cloths which is just screaming or “crowing” make brunch and serve it on me.

So what should I do? Of course, make brunch but as it turned out the bunch with friends was just my husband and myself. I couldn’t wait to try to make this so rather than fuss with a bunch of other dishes and arrange time for friends to actually make it over for brunch I made it just for the two of us.

I was tracking down this chef (John Fleer) who now works at Rhubarb restaurant in Asheville and read where he had worked at the Blackberry Farm Restaurant located at the foothills of The Smoky Mountains in Walland, Tennessee, so I had to mosey on over to the Blackberry Farm website to see what was going on. Of course, the first place I look is the restaurant and the menu where I happened upon a menu item Asparagus with Poached Egg, Toast and Bacon Vinaigrette and thought I could do this without a recipe. We have eaten at Rhubarb in Asheville but this wasn’t on his menu at that time.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Impossible Ham and Cheese Pie

Not so impossible!

Aren’t you always looking for a new recipe to try out on company? Whether they are family or friends, this is easy and won’t have you up before dawn preparing this yummy treat.

I can just look at the picture above and it gets my mouth-watering. The taste of the melty cheese, the onions and the tiny pieces of ham is what your dreams will be made of when you preparing your breakfast menus for the weekend. Top the impossible pie with some salsa for an extra tang and you have a great breakfast dish.

This recipe can be changed up so many ways; try different cheeses, serve it for brunch, lunch or “breakfast for dinner”, add some jalapeños to the filling. I changed the flour to a King Arthur Gluten Free blend and could not tell it was not made with “real” flour. So, if there are any of you eating gluten-free because you have to or because you want to, try substituting a GF blend; you will be amazed at the results. (A few weeks ago, my grandson, Milo asked me “Gran do you eat gluten-free things because you want to or because you have to?”) The answer is I don’t have to but when I can substitute something gluten-free as the flour in this recipe, I will give it a try.

The Impossible Pie appeared first back in 1968 and was popularized by General Mills and General Foods to help promote their products in making this pie. There are sweet versions and savory version. Just Google “Impossible Pie” and you will be amazed at the different recipes that will come up.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods/ Muffins

Spinach Bacon Egg Muffins

Skip the drive through today.

If I never hear the words “Egg McMuffin” it won’t be soon enough.  All the years of driving and trying to find something for breakfast I have finally had enough of the golden arches egg dishes. The last trip we did to Asheville we stopped once for a chicken biscuit; and after a few bites I’m liking the chicken, of course, but not the biscuit. The finally on the trek home I decided to try the cinnamon roll. Of course, that is a lot higher in calories and sugar but at least it wasn’t another Egg McMuffin, or biscuit of some type.

I’ve made a version of this Spinach Bacon Egg Muffin before but never got around to posting it. So, when I came across this recipe, it was so pretty I just had to make it. And mine pretty much looked like Eat Drink Love’s version except I made my muffins in mini muffin pans.

This recipe is very versatile and you can make whatever adjustments you want.  I changed her bacon to real bacon because I do not like anything that is suppose to taste like something else.  Same with the cheese; I used normal cheddar cheese not reduced fat. For a change, try crumbled sausage and swiss and maybe some mushrooms. Some other ingredients I have in mind to try the next time will be sautéed bell peppers, green onions, asparagus with Swiss would be great. Bottom line, put whatever you want in with the eggs and give them a bake. You will enjoy them whatever you decide to put in yours.

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Breads/Biscuits/ Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Southern Comfort Breakfast Bowl

Not THAT kind of Southern Comfort!

Southern comfort? Is that rocking away on the front porch drinking a glass of sweet tea waiting for those grand kids to come so you can say “Come give me some sugar” (kisses – and that’s exactly what one of my grandmas use to say, and I would never say that) or is a good pimento cheese sandwich on white bread your southern comfort; and sitting on a stool in a drug store would make that so much better. Maybe a pan of good cornbread or grits or maybe just taking that dog for a long walk on a hot sweltering day is your idea Southern comfort and this recipe certainly isn’t made from the Southern Comfort we use to drink years ago.

Well, I’m fixin to give you a recipe that isn’t a recipe at all; so before you have a hissy fit and say what’s she talkin about, this can be any breakfast ingredient of your choice served in a bowl. It’s all in the presentation and if you are one of those people who don’t like their foods touching then you may not like this.

WARNING: This is a big hungry man breakfast. If it is too heavy for you for the summer, then save it for a cool autumn morning.

One rainy weekend morning I had my head in the refrigerator trying to come up with something yummy. I had seen a episode of Diner, Dives and Drive-Ins months earlier where Guy was in some diner eating a bowl full of gravy and other ingredients.

I decided for my bowl of Southern comfort goodness I was going to start with some browned frozen hash browns and then from there go with a homemade biscuit or two topped with peppered sausage gravy then some bacon “planking” the top with a perfectly poached egg to the side.

I just knew my husband was going to love this. I made him a large size and I ate my biscuit and gravy separate. Big pasta bowls were the perfect dish to serve this in for this rainy day breakfast.

I’m sure everyone knows how to make perfect gravy but to me the most important part of the gravy making is to stir the flour into the bacon fat (or sausage fat) to brown it a little. Doing this will guarantee that your gravy doesn’t have a raw flour taste. I’ve seen people put flour and milk in a jar and shake before adding to a pan. Believe me, this method will not give you good results and who wants to ruin a great breakfast by taking shortcuts.

I’m making just plain old buttermilk biscuits for my bowl. I also think a base of grits, then biscuit, egg, gravy would be yummy to try.

I had this post ready to go a long time ago and has been waiting in the wings for the right moment. I forgot about it and now that it’s summer already, I’m giving it to you anyway even though it may be a little more filling than you would want for this time of year. You get the idea anyway — for a lighter version, how about a little grits on the bottom topped with some sautéed spinach then a poached egg on top; or even a pile sweet potato hash browns topped with vegetable and egg would be yummy.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Scrambled Eggs Benedict

This is a bit of a “Benedict” stretch”

Are you sitting with your morning pot of tea or cup of coffee pondering what you were going to throw together for breakfast. There are no rules to cooking (maybe just in baking recipes I guess) and I think every rule has an exception, especially this one. Is there a Benedict police out there that says you have to use an English Muffin, Canadian bacon (which isn’t even bacon), poached egg, and hollandaise? And, I’m sure there are a handful of you out there saying “don’t mess with my Eggs Benedict, your are a Eggs Benedict ARNOLD”.

It’s a stretch calling this eggs benedict; and I am using a microwave made hollandaise and putting it together like eggs Benedict.  All the other ingredients are new to the scene.

I had this pork belly in the refrigerator and didn’t think I was every going to get it all used up with.  I have made Steamed Buns with Pork Belly, Pork Belly Tacos, I tried a BLT appetizer made with the pork and still had some saying, pleaseeee, it’s my time to go.

Hollandaise has never  been my friend. It seems like it either curdles or I have it too cold to serve.  This time I decided this was going to be a quick breakfast. Other than making the biscuits (which I could do in my sleep), everything was almost ready to go. The poached eggs were replaced with a quick egg scramble; even a fried egg would have been good on this and I guess that would have more resembled the traditional poached egg. And the pork belly, as I said was on it’s last leg in my refrigerator.

If you didn’t do the pork belly try making this with some thick sliced bacon or a grilled boneless pork chop.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Sunny Morning Breakfast Tart

Worth making for a weekend breakfast.

Happy Easter everyone. I’m sure you already have your Easter morning breakfast planned but keep this in mind the next time you want something special.

I promise not to say breakfast is my least favorite meal ever again.  I keep saying that and yet I keep coming up with more breakfast recipes to share with you. I think most of the ones I post here are probably not something I would make during the week but something I want to try for a lazy weekend breakfast treat or most would be wonderful to serve to visiting guest or maybe for that Sunday brunch you have been wanting to have.

This is one recipe I will definitely be making for my daughter and her husband while helping with the baby (or household chores) when we are there (soon).

I look forward to greeting the new baby and I also looking forward to being able to cook for them for a few days OR until they kick us out. I told them up front we could stay as long as we are needed but don’t feel bad saying it’s time to go.  What is it they say about fish after three days?

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Eggs in a Nest

Chickens came home to roost on these nest.

These were delicious and served with some extra sausage or bacon on the side and some fresh fruit, made a perfect breakfast.

I have always said that breakfast is my least favorite meal to prepare but I keep coming up with different ways to cook those eggs. Recently I saw a recipe where someone scooped out a baked potato and add the egg and other ingredients into the hollowed out vegetable and baked it. Now that does sound interesting.

My son, Paul has a small chicken coop and 5 chickens in his back yard, and they have finally started producing eggs. I do have to say that the “silky” chickens are really cute as far as chickens go. A few months ago my son/family woke up to “crowing” and realized one of his chickens was in fact a rooster and then it happened again a few weeks later.  I guess the person selling him his baby chicks couldn’t tell the differences when they were babies. Needless to say, when this happened, they were not around long; within a couple of hours they had a new owner.

About the only time I make breakfast for my hub is Sunday morning. All the other mornings he grabs a bowl of cereal and cup of coffee before heading out the door for the golf course.

I made the fingerling potatoes with preserved lemons a few nights ago and I had a bunch of potatoes left over and just happened to be watching Pioneer woman make her potato egg nest. She didn’t have much luck with the frozen hash browns she said and ended up baking a potato, peeling it, then grating. I took her recipe a few steps further (why not?) and used my preserved lemon potatoes ( you can bake your potato) added some jalapeño, bell pepper, sausage, egg, and a pinch of cheese and a little tomato for garnish.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Spinach and Mushroom Baked Eggs

Another breakfast dish!

After the holidays, everyone is always looking for easy recipes that are not too fattening. I love the idea of the spinach with the baked eggs and tomatoes were perfect.

I keep saying that breakfast is my least favorite meal of the day yet I keep coming up with new recipes to try. I have to say the thought of plain ole scrambled eggs always makes me want to turn to a bowl of cereal in the morning or even a breakfast bar.

I had all these ingredients just laying in anticipation of being included in a new recipe. Those poor little tomatoes usually just get tossed into a salad or if they are lucky maybe they take a dive into some type of dip concoction. The mushrooms were dying to be sautéed and begging for me to use coconut oil to do them in.

This recipe can be increased to as many servings as you need. All you need to do is saute more mushrooms and spinach. If you want to add in a little ham or bacon to the bottom go ahead, I won’t tell. The next time I try making a baked egg dish I’m going to have my eggs at room temperature because my eggs never get done in the amount of time they are suppose to. I want a set white but runny yolk.

So, what’s your favorite breakfast dish? The next time I’m in Nashville I will definitely have the Sweet Potato Pancakes at the Pancake Pantry or try the Red Velvet Pancakes at Loveless Cafe there. Until I’m there again, I’m going to have to try and make both those pancakes.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Ham and Mushroom Quiche

What real men don’t like quiche?

What man doesn’t like ham, mushrooms, cheese, a crusty exterior to anything. What man these days wants to eat a leftover, a frozen or boxed dinner, a low fat, gluten free, carb-free, sugar-free meal or anything he had to cook for himself. So, I’m willing to bet if you throw (that sounds harsh doesn’t it, I wouldn’t really throw it on the table.) this on the table in front of him, he will chow down and even enjoy it and maybe even ask for leftovers the next day.

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Egg Dishes/ Morning Foods

Green Eggs and Ham

Try them! Try them! (I say)

A couple of months ago I had dinner at the Salty Sow in Austin. On their menu they have several things that are “jarred” (served in jelly jars). There was a chicken liver mousse, a fresh salmon rillette and green eggs and ham. I never saw what the green eggs and ham looked like but this is my take on Dr. Seuss’s green eggs and ham.

So……. i’m thinking ……..

Do you like
green eggs and ham!
I do not like them,
Sam-I-am.
I do not like green eggs and ham.

You do not like them.
So you say.
Try them! Try them
And you may.
Try them and you may, I say.

Sam!
If you will let me be,
I will try them.
You will see.

Say!
I like green eggs and ham!
I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!
I would eat them in a boat.
And I would eat them with a goat

I will eat them in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
They are so good, so good, you see!

So I will eat them in a box.
And I will eat them with a fox.
And I will eat them in a house.
And I will eat them with a mouse.
And I will eat them here and there.
Say! I will eat them ANYWHERE!

I do so like
green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam-I-am!

               

                                                                                                                        –from Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham

So, I hope you will try my version of green eggs and ham and then say ” I do so like green eggs and ham”. Thank you! Thank You!

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